Why do some text messages say sent and some say delivered?

[Dejonsmom]

WHy do some text messages say sent and some say delivered?

[dilbertaz · Accepted solution]

Compliments of @SuzyQ

Sending... and sent mean just what they say - sending in progress, and then sent to the recipients device.  "Delivered" will normally appear only for messages to another Verizon wireless phone, and it simply means it was delivered to the device.  It does NOT mean the recipient has opened it, merely that it was delivered.

If you are sending to device on another carrier, you won't see "delivered" since it's another network, and Verizon can't see if it was successfully delivered to the device.

[ineedpepto]

Thanks Ken!

Those are the exact 2 questions I was just going to ask.

[Snn5]

Depends on the carrier.  T-Mobile users can see that messages were "Delivered" to a Verizon user.  Verizon users cannot see "Delivered" when sending to other carrier users.

[ineedpepto]

The recipient has AT&T and when I sent the text from my Verizon carrier, it said, sending, sent and then delivered.

[vzw_customer_support]

ineedpepto - We want to ensure you have the answers you need regarding message delivery. I welcome the opportunity to address your inquiry. The way messages are delivered are just as dilbertaz has stated. We do provide a Delivery receipt to other Verizon Wireless Customers and sometimes to those who are using a VZW phone number while with another carrier or are roaming on our towers. The Delivery message is only an indication that the message was successfully accepted by the recipients phone number and is not an indication of successful retrieval by their device or that they have actually read it.

EbonyR_VZW
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[Kboone1726]

You said it doesn't mean that it was read. If it stays on delivered does that mean they haven't read it yet?

[vzw_customer_support]

Kboone1726, thank you so much for the reply. If the message shows delivered that means that it was sent through the network without any issues. There are times that it will not change to "read" if the person read the message. KevinR_VZW

[Amy51]

My text recently have stopped showing delivered when Verizon to Verizon. They are only showing sent. Happened a couple of weeks ok. Could the last upgrade caused this problem

[vzw_customer_support]

Amy51 It's a good idea to know the difference. When a message reads delivered, the message has been sent and has been viewed by the person. When it reads sent, the message has reached the other person. Does this help? DoloresK_VZW